Machine for making debossed displays and blank therefor

ABSTRACT

A machine for impressing a blank of predetermined dimensions with a series of consecutive debossed characters, the machine having debossing means at a debossing station, a guideway leading to the debossing station, a carrier engageable with the guideway for being carried to the debossing station, feed means for advancing the carrier along the guideway and means for receiving and retaining the blank in fixed relationship with the carrier so as to locate consecutive portions of the blank for debossing at the debossing station. A scale and an index enable centering of the series of characters along the blank. The debossing means include a plurality of character punches carried on slugs which can be indexed to place the desired character slug at the debossing station. The character slugs are removable and interchangeable, either as a group or individually. Each punch includes a character with a raised face and side flanks making an angle of about 12* with the direction of impression. The blank is an elongate body of synthetic resin material having registration recesses and relief grooves to minimize distortion from debossing.

United States Patent [1 1 Travis et al.

1 MACHINE FOR MAKING DEBOSSED DISPLAYS AND BLANK THEREFOR [75]Inventors: Charles II. Travis, Martinez; Harry F. Noller. Moraga; EugeneW. Beers. Lafayette. all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Dymo Industries, Inc.. Emeryville,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Apr. 4. 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 347.440

[52] U.S. Cl. l97/6.4; 197/6.7; 101/26 [51] Int. Cl B4lj H30 [58] Fieldof Search 197/6.0. 6.3-6.7,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 735.367 8/1903 Halstrick197/194 X 862.621 8/1907 Eggcr 197/194 X 1.084.313 1/1914 Choatc....101/3 R 1.215.441 2/1917 Wa1ker.... 197/194 2.139.257 12/1938 Burnett...197/187 2,850,138 9/1958 Rohinsonm. 197/194 3.181.679 5/1965 Stubbmann.197/6.7 3.203.528 8/1965 Bogcaus 197/67 X 3.301.703 1/1967 Owen 101/32 X3.307.672 3/1967 Young 197/53 X 3.433.152 3/1969 Mullen ct a1....197/6.7 X 3.442.365 5/1969 Rugland ct al 197/53 3.559.792 2/1971Guldenpfewnig. 197/187 3.587.812 6/1971 Budenstcin 197/194 X 1 Apr. 29,1975 Primur Examiner-E. H. Eickholt Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Samuelson &Jacob [57] ABSTRACT A machine for impressing a blank of predetermineddimensions with a series of consecutive debossed characters. the machinehaving debossing means at a debossing station. a guideway leading to thedebossing station. a carrier engageable with the guideway for beingcarried to the debossing station. feed means for advancing the carrieralong the guideway and means for receiving and retaining the blank infixed relationship with the carrier so as to locate consecutive portionsof the blank for debossing at the debossing station. A scale and anindex enable centering of the series of characters along the blank. Thedebossing means include a plurality of character punches carried onslugs which can be indexed to place the desired character slug at thedebossing station. The character slugs are removable andinterchangeable. either as a group or individually. Each punch includesa character with a raised face and side flanks making an angle of about12 with the direction of impression. The blank is an elongate body ofsynthetic resin material having registration recesses and relief groovesto minimize distortion from debossing.

17 Claims. 26 Drawing Figures PLTENTEE 3.880.270

SHEEI 10? 6 SHEET 2 OF 6 FIG. 4

e2 %.[3230 232 W l FIG. l0

PATENTEDAPR2919Y5 1880270 SHEET 6 or 6 l T L I ,l 20) 18 4 FIG. 22

FIG. 23 FIG. 24 FIG. 25 FIG. 26

MACHINE FOR MAKING DEBOSSED DISPLAYS AND BLANK THEREFOR The presentinvention relates generally to the fabrication of displays and pertains,more specifically. to a machine for impressing a blank with a series ofconsecutive characters to construct a display. and blanks for use insuch a machine.

A wide variety of techniques is currently in use for fabricatingdisplays such as signs, nameplates. identification tags, cards. badges,and like items having a series of consecutive characters made visibleagainst a constrasting background. One technique which has become quitepopular is that of embossing indicia on thin plastic strips formed ofsheeted thermoplastic synethic resins which are capable of beingcold-formed to establish a contrast color relief enfigurement therein.The ensuing development of simple, low cost tools and machines which canbe used to practice that technique has not only led to widespread use ofsuch displays, but has generated an increased demand for similarlysimple and low cost tools and machines which can be used for fabricatingdisplays utilizing alternate techniques which produce similarlyutilitarian but aesthetically different results. One such alternatetechnique is that of impressing a blank with a series of characters sothat the char acters are debossed; that is. the characters themselvesare impressed into the surface of the blank so that each characteroutline is displaced into the blank to provide a contrast with thebackground, as opposed to embossed characters which are raised from theblank.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a compact.simplified, relatively inexpensive machine for fabricating a display byimpressing a blank with a series of consecutive characters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blank for use in theabove machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine of thetype described above which is versatile in that blanks of various sizescan be accommodated and can be impressed. or debossed. with charactersof different size and style.

A further object of the invention is to provide a compact. portablemachine which employs the technique of debossing a series of charactersin a blank and which provides for the accurate location of the series.as well as the formation and location of each character with accuracy.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine. asdescribed above. which can dcboss accurately located characters alongmore than one line on a blank.

The above objects, as well as still further objects and advantages. areattained by the invention which may be described briefly as a machinefor impressing a blank of predetermined dimensions with a series ofconsecutive debossed characters. the machine comprising a frame.actuator means on the frame. a debossing station on the frame, characterdebossing means on the frame at the debossing station, a guideway on theframe, a carrier. means for engaging the carrier with the guideway suchthat at least a portion of the carrier is guided by the guideway along aguidepath juxtaposed with the character debossing means at the debossingstation, feed means on the frame for advancing the carrier along theguidepath in predetermined increments of advancement in response toactuation of the actuator means. and means in the carrier for receivingand retaining the blank in such fixed relationship relative to thecarrier as to locate consecutive portions of the blank in position fordebossing at the debossing station.

The invention will be more fully understood. while still further objectsand advantages thereofwill become apparent, in the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing. in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa machine constructed in accordance withthe invention. with the carrier of the machine removed and illustratedseparately;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa blank used in the machine;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate blank used in the machine;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic pictorial view illustrating an operation in thetechnique practiced with the machine;

FIG. 5 is comprised of three diagrammatic pictorial views. labelled 5a,5b and 5c, illustrating the impressing of a character into the blank;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view illustrating the obverse surface of a blankimpressed with characters;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view illustrating the reverse surface of theblank;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged. cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the alternate blank of FIG. 3illustrating the reverse surface thereof;

FIG. I0 is an enlarged. cross-sectional view taken along line I0I0 ofFIG. 9;

FIG. II is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. I2 is an enlarged, bottom plan view of the character debossingwheel of the machine;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I3-I3 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a character slug of the characterdebossing wheel;

FIG. I5 is a side elevational view of the character slug.

FIG. I6 is an exploded, partially sectioned diagrammatic view of aportion of the machine;

FIG. I7 is a perspective view of the machine with the cover andcharacter debossing wheel removed;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the carrier;

FIG. I9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary view ofa portion of FIG. 17, but with thecarrier in place in the machine and with other components deleted forillustrative purposes;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of portions of the feedmechanism of the machine;

FIG. 22 is a partially diagrammatic. end elevational view, partiallysectioned, illustrating the operation of the machine;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the feed mechanism ofthe machine;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24, but with the components in adifferent operating position; and

FIG. 26 is an elevatonal view of the portion of the machine illustratedin FIG. 23.

Referring now to the drawing. and especially to FIGS. 1 through 3thereof. there is illustrated a machine 10, constructed in accordancewith the invention. for impressing a blank shown in the form of anameplate 12 with a series of consecutive debossed charactersillustrated in the form of letters 14. The machine is of the portable.tabletop variety and has a frame I6 which includes a base l8 havingdepending feet upon which the machine rests. A housing 22 extendsupwardly from the base 18 and encloses the major operating components ofthe machine, the housing 22 carrying a cover 24 attached thereto, butselectively removable therefrom.

Machine 10 is provided with actuator means which include an actuatorlever 26 mounted upon the frame 16 and extending upwardly through thehousing 22, the actuator lever 26 carrying an actuating handle 28. Aguideway 30 is affixed to the frame I6 and includes a channel 32 whichprovides a guidepath extending across the machine 10 from an inlet end34 at one side 36 of the machine 10 to an opposite end 38 at the otherside 39 of the machine. A carrier 40 may be received within the channel32 of the guideway 30 to traverse the guidepath. The carrier 40 includesa receptacle 42 for receiving a blank. When the blank is in the form ofnameplate 12, the nameplate is placed within the re ceptacle 42 to takethe position illustrated in phantom at N in FIG. I. An alternate blank.illustrated in FIG. 3 in the form of a badge 44, may be placed withinthe receptacle of the carrier instead of the nameplate l2 and wouldassume the position illustrated in phantom at B in FIG. 1.

The technique employed in machine 10 for impressing a blank with aseries of consecutive debossed char acters is illustrateddiagrammatically in FIGS. 4 and 5. In practicing the technique. theblank. here shown in the form of nameplate 12, is first provided with anoverlay of a material having an appearance which contrasts with theappearance of the obverse surface 46 of the nameplate I2. Thus. forexample. where the obverse surface 46 of nameplate I2 has a particulrcolor. such as black or white. a thin film in the form of a tape 48 of acontrasting color. such as red. is drawn from a roll supply 50 of suchtape 48 and adhered to the obverse surface 46 by a prcssurcsensitivcadhesive carried on the underside S2 of the tape.

The blank nameplate 12, with the contrasting color tape 48 adheredthereto, is placed in the receptacle 42 of the carrier 40 and thecarrier is inserted into the channel 32 of the guideway 30 to beadvanced in prescribed incremcnts along the guidepath. The carrier 40and the blank nameplate 12 are then incrementally advanced through adebossing station 54 in the machine such that each portion ofthenameplate which is to receive a debossed character is sequentiallylocated within the debossing station 54. At the debossing sta tion. apunch 56 in the form of a selected character having a raised face 58 andside flanks 60 is juxtaposed with the nameplate l2 and is locatedbetween the obverse surface 46 thereof and a ram 62, as illustrated inFIG. 5a. As seen in FIG. 5b. the ram 62 is then advanced and drives thepunch 56 through the contrast color tape 48 and into the nameplate l2,severing a piece 64 of the tape 48. corresponding in configuration tothe configuration of the letter 14 being impressed within the nameplate12. from the surrounding scrim 66 and embedding the piece 64 of tape 48in the nameplate I2. Upon retraction of the ram 62, as seen in FIG. 5c.the punch 56 is retracted from the nameplate 12 leaving a debossedcharacter I4 having a color which LII contrasts with the remainingbackground of the obverse surface 46 of the nameplate 12 as a result ofthe piece 64 of contrasting color tape 48 lying at the bot tom of thedebossed letter 14. The debossing operation is repeated for as manycharacters as required. Upon completion of the debossing operations. thescrim 66 is removed by peeling the remaining tape 48 from the obversesurface 46 of the nameplate 12, thus exposing the remaining portion ofthe obverse surface 46 which serves as a background for the contrastcolor letters 14, as seen in FIG. 6.

The above technique has been carried out successfully utilizing a blanknameplte 12, or, alternately. a blank badge 44, fabricated ofa syntheticresin material of the type capable of being permanently impressed withdebossed characters while the material is cold; that is. at roomtemperature or thereabout. One such material is an injection molded ABS.Preferably. the obverse surface 46 of the blank is textured with apattern. such as a simulated leather pattern. so that any minordistortions or irregularities along the edges 68 of the debossed letters14 will be hidden or disguised by the textured surface. Commerciallyavailable colored acrylic tapes may be used for tape 48.

Turning now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, as well as to FIGS. 1 and 2. theaccurate positioning of the series of characters shown as letters 14 onthe obverse surface 46 of nameplate 12 requires accurate registration ofthe nameplate within the carrier 40. Accurate formation of eachcharacter with minimal distortion requires that the nameplate be firmlysupported within the carrier. Thus, the major portion of the reversesurface 70 of nameplate 12 has a surface configuration complementary tothe corresponding surface configuration of the bottom surface 72 of thereceptacle 42 of the carrier 40, in this instance. the complementaryconfiguration being flat and planar.

Because the debossed characters are impressed by a punch, there is atendency for both lateral and longitudinal expansion of the blank whichis being impressed. such expansion tending to distort the longitudinaland lateral dimensions of the blank. In view of the relatively greatlongitudinal length L in comparison to the narrow lateral width W of thenameplate 12, such longitudinal distortion is neglible; however. lateraldistortion can become noticable. Therefore. the longitudinal edges 74 ofnameplate I2 are supported and confined by the correspondinglongitudinal shoulders 76 in the receptacle 42 of the carrier 40 and anytendency toward lateral distortion is taken up by distortion reliefmeans in the reverse surface 70 of the nameplate blank. such distortionrelief means being illustrated in the form of longitudinal grooves 78running along the length corresponding to the portion of the nameplate12 which will be debossed. Likewise. as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10,distortion relief means are provided in ther reverse surface 80 of thebadge 44 to relieve distortion of that blank arising out of theimpression of the series of debossed characters 82 in the obversesurface 84 thereof. Such distortion relief means are shown in the formof edge grooves 86. Although the lateral width WW of the badge 44 is thesame as the lateral width W of the nameplate 12, the longitudinal lengthLL of the badge is very much shorter than the longitudinal length L ofthe nameplate. Therefore. distortion of the longitudinal dimensions ofthe badge 44, as well as the lateral dimensions thereof. may becomenoticablc.

Hence. the edge grooves 86 extend around the entire perimeter of thebadge 44 to relieve distortion of both the longitudinal and lateraldimensions of the badge.

Badge 44 carries a clip 88 constructed of spring wire and retainedwithin longitudinal and lateral grooves 90 and 92 in the reverse surface80 so that contiguity between the reverse surface 80 and the bottomsurface 72 of the receptacle 42 of the carrier 40 is not disturbed bythe presence of the clip 88. A notch 94 in the carrier 40 accommodatesthe clip 88. The clip is utilized to fix the badge to an article ofclothing worn by the person who will wear the badge.

Turning now to FIG. 11, in order to produce aesthetically appealingcharacters with a compact. portable machine such as machine I0,utilizing the above de scribed technique. each character punch mustproduce a good. sharp impression while requiring minimal impressingforce. At the same time. practically no stripping force. i.c.. the forcenecessary to retract the punch from the impression. should be required.Additionally. separation of the film when piece 64 is cut from tape 48should be sharp to enhance edge quality around the perimeter of thecharacter. These conditions require choice of the side angle A madebetween each flank 60 of the character punch 56 and the direction ofimpression. It has been found that an angle A of as little as 5 producesa good. sharp impression and requires a low impressing force. butnecessitates a rather high stripping force. On the other hand, an angleas large as 20, while requiring practically no stripping force, requiresmuch more impressing force. While the 5 angle produces sharp.well-defined film separation. the 20 angle produces a film separationwhich is not as sharp and which is lacking in edge quality and generalappearance when compared to the 5 angle. It has been determined thatalthough satisfactory results can be obtained when angle A is in therange of about 5 to about 20, a side angle of about 12' produces anoptimum compromise among the above characteristics for a machine such asmachine I0.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through I7, as well as to FIG. 1, machineemploys a plurality of character punches 56. anv one of whichselectively may be located at the debossing station54 forirnpressingachosen character at a prescribed location in the chosenblank. Each character punch 56 is a part of a character slug 96 carriedby a flexible portion of a movable member. shown as a resilient finger98 projecting radially from a character wheel I00. The character wheelI00 is mounted for rotation upon the frame 16 and includes a central hub102 journalcd upon a post I04 projecting from a platform 106 secured tothe guideway 30 which, in turn. is affixed to the base 18 of the frameI6. A skirt I08 which is coaxial with the hub I02 rests upon theplatform I06 and supports the wheel I00 for rotation such that any oneof the character slugs 96 may be located at the debossing station 54.

Selection and location of a particular character slug 96 is accomplishedmanuallly by rotating a dial knob IIO until a pointer 112, which islocated on a flange I14 integral with the knob IIO, points to acorresponding character [[6 printed on the cover 24 of macine I0. Theknob IIO includes depending projections 118 which are received incomplementary apertures 120 in the character wheel I00. the radiallocation and relative size of each projection Il8 assuring that the knob110 can engage the character wheel 100 in only one relative radialposition. thus assuring correspondence between the character I16indicated by the dial pointer 112 and the character slug 96 located atthe debossing station 54.

When the dial knob H0 is properly located with respect to the characterwheel I00, a central shaft I22. affixed to the dial knob 110, iscaptured within the resilient extensions I24 of the post 104 by thecooper:- tion of detent projections I26 carried by the extensions I24with a complementary groove I28 in the shaft 122. When the central shaft122 is thus captured within the post I04, the integral flange 114overlaps a complementary rim 130 on the cover 24 to aid in retaining thecover in place on the remainder of the housing 22. When it is desirableto impress debossed characters of different size or a different style.the character wheel may be removed and replaced without difficulty bymerely pulling the dial knob I10 upwardly relative to the cover 24 todraw the central shaft I22 from the post 104. The cover 24 may then belifted to expose the character wheel I00 and the character wheel 100itself may be removed from the machine by merely lifting the wheel fromthe platform I06. An alternate character wheel (not shown) may then beplaced upon the platform I06 and the cover 24 and dial knob may bereplaced to again ready the machine for debossing operations to beperformed with a different group of char' acter punches.

Each character slug 96 itself may be removed from its correspondingfinger 98 and replaced. as desired. Thus. each character slug 96, inaddition to having a raised character punch 56 on the working face 132thereof, includes a flange I34 at the upper face 136 providing firstshoulders I38, and a pair of cars [40 on opposite sides of the characterslug 96 providing second shoulders 142 confronting the first shouldersI38 and spaced therefrom. Each finger 98 of the character wheel I00includes an aperture 144 having a configuration complementary to acorresponding character slug 96 carried by that finger. the aperture I44being resiliently dilatable in a direction transverse to the radialdirection by virtue of a radial slit 146 communicating with theaperture. Insertion of a slug 96 within a corre sponding aperture I44 isattained by pushing the slug downwardly into the aperture therebycausing resilient dilation of the aperture by the passage of the taperedears through the aperture 144 and enabling the portions 148 of theresilient fingers 98 of the perimeter of the aperture 144 to becomelodged between the confronting shoulders 138 and I42 to capture the slug96 within the aperture 144, the shoulders I38 and I42 and the portions148 thus serving as detent means to releasably retain the characterslugs 96 within aperture 144.

In order to accurately locate and retain a chosen character slug 96 atthe debossing station 54, the character wheel I00 is provided with adetent rim 1S0 having a plurality of detent recesses 152, one recess 152for each character slug 96. A detent roller 154 is carried by a crank156 mounted upon the frame I6 for pivotal movement about a vertical axisat I58 and is resiliently biased toward the detent rim by means of ahelical spring 160. The engagement of the detent roller I54 in acomplementary detent recess I52 in the detent rim 150 of the characterwheel I00 accurately locates a corresponding character slug 96 at thedebossing station 54.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 through 2], as well as to FIGS. 1 through 3,and FlGS. 7 through 10. a blank is placed within the receptacle 42 ofthe carrier 40 and is accurately located relative to the carrier byvirtue of at least one pair of upwardly extending projections, integralwith the carrier, within a complementary pair of recesses in the reversesurface of the blank. Thus, nameplate 12 has two pairs of recesses [66and 168 in reverse surface 70 corresponding to the two pairs ofcomplementary projections 162 and 164 assuring that the nameplate 12 islocated in only one precise position relative to the carrier 40.Likewise, the badge 44 has one pair of recesses 170 in the reversesurface 80 thereof for engaging the central pair of projections 164 ofthe carrier to locate the badge precisely relative to the carrier. Eachrecess of a pair of recesses 166, 168 or 170 is spaced longitudinally inopposite directions equidistant from the midpoint of the length of ablank. In this manner any blank having properly located recesscs in thereverse surface thereof, when placed within the receptacle of thecarrier, will be located with the center of the blank placed at the samepredetermined location in the carrier, regardless of the length of theblank.

The guidcway and the carrier 40 are provided with complementary trackingmeans including a tracking member shown in the form ofa longitudinal rib172 in the guidcway channel 32 and tracks illustrated in the form ofcomplementary guide grooves 174 in the underside 176 of the carrier. Thelongitudinal rib 172 dc fines a guidepath passing directly through thedcbossing station 54. The carrier 40 may be located within the guideway30 in any one of the three alternate, lateral positions by engaging anyone of the three guide grooves 174 with the guide rib 172, the insertionof the rib 172 within a groove 174 being facilitated by a flaredentrance 178 to each groove. Thus, an operator may choose any one ofthree lines along which a series of characters will he dcbossed. thelines being designated, in FlGS. l and 20, by marks 180, on the uppersurface 181 of the carrier, labelled line 1," line 2," and line 3." Thelateral spacing between alternate guide grooves [74 is not madeidentical so that different lines may be chosen for different sizecharacters. A platform I82 extends along the guidway 30 at either sideof the guide rib I72 and provides a firm support for the carrier 40,especially in the vicinity of the debossing station 54. In this manner.complementary surfaces 184 and 186 of the guideway and the carrierestablish a rigid anvil for the debossing operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, charactcrs of two different sized may beaccommodated and are designated as small letters" 188 and "largeletters" 190. Selection of the desired line upon insertion of thecarrier 40 into the guidcway 30 is facilitated by the provision of aline indicator 192 carried by a transparent plate 194 affixed to theguideway 30 so as to overlie the carrier 40 and enable the indicator 192to be aligned with the proper line-designating mark 180 on the carrier40. Longitudinal centering of the series of characters to be debossedupon the blank is accomplished by locating the carrier 40 in properlongitudinal position reltiave to the debossing station 54 at the startof the series of debossing operations which will produce the series bedetermined by counting the number of characters in the series to bedebossed and then, by referring to either a small letter scale 196 or alarge letter scale 198,

locating the proper numeral of the scale at an index mark 200 on thetransparent indicator plate 194. The increments on the small letterscale 196 and the large letter scale 198 correspond to one-half thelongitudinal spacing of the particular consecutive characters to bedcbosssed so that the location of the index mark 200 relative to thedebossing station 54 assures that the series will be centered upon theblank.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, l7 and 22, the debossing of each character isaccomplished, as explained in connection with FIG. 5, by the downwardmovement of ram 62 which in turn, depresses the character punch 56located at the debossing station 54. As best seen in FIGS. 17 and 22, abridge assembly 202 passes over the debossing staion 54 and carries asleeve 204 within which the ram 62 is guided for accurate reciprocatingmovement. A ram lever 206 is mounted upon the frame 16 for pivotalmovement about a pin 208 affixed to the frame. The ram 62 is affixed tothe ram lever 206 at 210 and a helical spring 212 between the bridgeassembly 202 and the ram lcver 206 resiliently urges the ram leverupwardly to a first or retracted position, as illustrated in full linesin FIG. 17 and in phantom in FIG. 22.

The actuator lever 26 is affixed to one end of a main drive shaft 214which is itself journaled for rotation upon the base [8 of the frame 16at 216 and 218. An eccentric 220 is affixed to the other end of the maindrive shaft 214 and carries an eccentric roller 222. Upon movement ofthe acutator lever 26 from a rest position, as illustrated by full linesin FIG. 17 and in phantom in FIG. 22, forward and downward to adepressed position, as illustrated in full lines in FIG. 22, the driveshaft 214 will be rotated causing concomitant rotation ofthe eccentric220 and engagement of the eccentric roller 222 with a drive surface 224of the ram lever 206, thereby depressing the ram lever 206 to adcpresscd position, illustrated in full lines in FIG. 22, and drivingthe ram 62 downwardly against the resilient bias of the spring 212 toengage the character slug 96 at the debossing station 54 and effectdebossing.

The ram 62 is accurately located relative to the guidepath establishedby the longitudinal rib 172 in the guideway 30 by virtue of the sleeve204. In order to align each character slug 96 accurately relative to theram 62 so as to assure accurate registration of each character debosscdinto the blank, the ram is provided with a tapered projection 230extending the direction of movement of the ram 62 and each characterslug 96 is provided with a complementary tapered socket 232. upondownward movement of the ram 62, projection 230 engages the socket 232and brings the character slug 96 into accurate alignment with the ram.The impressing forces are then transmitted from the ram directly to thecharacter slug, along complementary engaged surfaces 234 and 136, theresilient fingers 98 of the character wheel serving merely to carry thecharacter slugs 96 and transport the slugs into and out of the debossingstation 54. Upon retraction of the ram 62, the ram will be disengagedfrom the character slug 96, at the debossing station 54 and thecharacter slug will return, by virtue of the resilience fo the finger 98in which it is carried, to the plane of the remaining character slugs96. A hold-down finger 236 (see FIGS. 17 and 20) holds the blank down asthe character slug is retracted.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 20 thrugh 26, feed means are provided toadvance the carrier 40 along the guidepath in predetermined incrementsof advancement in response to actuation of the actuator means. Turningfirst to FIG. 17. the actuator lever 26 is biased toward the restposition by a main spring 240 coiled around the main drive shaft 214. Afirst end 242 of the coiled main spring 240 abuts a projection 244 onthe base 18 of the frame 16 while the second end 246 of the coiled mainspring 240 engages a feed cam 248 affixed to the main drive shaft 214(see FIGS. 23 through 26). A feed shaft 250 is journaled upon the base18 of the frame 16 for rocking movement about its own longitudinal axisand carries a follower 252 adjacent one end 254 threreof. The feed shaft250 passes beneath the guideway 30, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, andcarries a pair of crank arms 256 extending upwardly. one arm 256 at eachside of the guideway. A pawl 258 extends between the crank arms 256 tostraddle the guideway 30 and is pivotally mounted at 260 and 262 to theupper end of each crank arm 256. A pawl tooth 264 extends downwardlyfrom the pawl 258 and is biased in a counterclockwise direction. asviewed in FIG. 21. by a helical spring 266 extending between the pawl258 and the guideway.

When the actuator lever 26 is in the rest position, the feed cam 248 isin the position illustrated in FIG. 24 and the feed pawl 258 is in therest position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 21. Upon depression ofthe actuator lever 26 from the rest position toward the fully depressedposition. the feed cam 248 is rotated by the main drive shaft 214 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 25 enabling the follower 252 to moveupwardly and allowing the helical spring 266 to draw the pawl 258 fromthe rest position to the retracted position shown in phantom in FIG. 21.During movement of the pawl 258 from the rest position to the retractedposition the pawl tooth 264 will pass over ratchet teeth 268 whichextend along the upper surface 181 of the carrier 40. Movement of thecarrier 40 from left to right. as viewed in FIG. 21, during suchmovement of the pawl tooth 264, is precluded by a latch tooth 270 whichis carried by a latch member 272 journaled upon the feed shaft 250 andwhich is biased in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 21, by ahelical spring 274 to extend through an opening 276 in the guideway andengage complementary rack teeth 278 in the underside I76 of the carrier40. Upon release of the actuator lever 26, the main spring 240 willrotate the drive shaft 214 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewedin FIGS. 24 and 25, to return the actuator lever 26 to the rest positionand will. at the same time. rotate the feed cam 248 to rock the feedshaft 250 in a counterclockwise direction. as viewed in FIG. 21, therebyadvancing the feed pawl 258 from the retracted position to the restposition and. by virtue of the engagement of the pawl tooth 264 with acomplementary ratchet tooth 268, accomplishing the advancement of thecarrier from right to left. as viewed in FIGS. 20 and 2].

The increment of advancement of the carrier 40 is directly related tothe number of ratchet teeth 268 traversed by the pawl tooth 264 duringmovement of the pawl 258 from the rest position to the retractedposition. The increment is accurately measured by providing the pawl 258with an upwardly extending finger 280 wich travels with the pawl 258 andis intercepted by a skirt 282 depending from the character wheel 100.

Abutment of the finger 280 against the skirt 282 stops retraction of thepawl 258 and effectively defines the length of travel of the pawl tooth264 between the retracted position and the rest position. Thus. eachchar acter wheel will have a skirt 282 located in the radial positionnecessary to provide the increment of advancement required for the sizeof the character car ried by that character wheel 100. In addition. eachskirt 282 may carry tabs 284 (see FIG. I2) for varying the spacing amongthe characters debossed with a single wheel to provide proportionalspacing among wider and narrower characters.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, in order to enable insertion of thecarrier 40 into the guideway 30 at the start of the debossing operation.there is provided a load lever 286 which is pivoted upon the guideway 30and biased in a clockwise direction. as viewed in FIG. 20, by a helicalspring 288. Upon movement of the load lever 286 in the downwarddirection indicated by the arrow in FIG. 20, the end 290 of the leverwill engage a tab 282 on the pawl 258 to raise the pawl 258 and the pawltooth 264 to the position R, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 21. At thesame time a second tab 294 on the pawl 258 will engage a finger 296 onthe latch member 272 and will pivot the latch member in acounterclockwise direction to move the latch tooth 270 to the position Dillustrated in phantom in FIG. 21. Thus. both the pawl tooth 264 and thelatch tooth 270 may be moved away from the path of the ratchet teeth 268and rack teeth 278 to enable insertion of the carrier 40 from left toright as viewed in FIGS. 20 and 21 and to allow proper registration ofthe carrier relative to the debossing station 54 as described above.Upon completion of the debossing operations. the carrier 40 may bewithdrawn from the machine by merely moving the carrier manually fromright to left. as viewed in FIGS. 1, l7 and 20, until the carrier isdrawn out of the machine. The completed debossed display may then belifted from the receptacle in the carrier and. after the scrim isremoved. put to use.

The above detailed description of a preferred embodiment is provided byway of example only. Various details of design and construction may bemodified without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention as set fourth in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows;

1. A machine for impressing a blank of perdetermined dimensions with aseries of consecutive. accurately registered debossed characters. theblank having an obverse surface in which the characters are to bedebossed and an opposite reverse surface. said machine comprising:

a frame;

actuator means on the frame;

a debossing station on the frame;

character debossing means on the frame at the debossing station;

a guideway on the frame;

a carrier;

means for engaging the carrier with the guideway such that at least aportion of the carrier is guided by the guideway along a guidepathjuxtaposed with the character debossing means at the debossing station;

feed means on the frame for advancing the carrier along the guidepath inpredetermined increments of advancement in response to actuation of theac tuator means;

means in the carrier for receiving and retaining the blank in such fi edrelationship to said portion of the carrier as to locate consecutiveportions of the blank in position fo debossing at the debossing station.said receiving and retaining means including a receptacle in thecarrier. said receptacle having a bottom surface complementary to themajor portion of the reverse surface of the blank; and

the guideway and the carrier inlcude corresponding surfaces so engagedas to provide a relatively rigid anvil at the debossing station againstwhich the blank, when located in the receptacle and against the bottomsurface thereof. rests during dcbossing.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said guidepath extendslongitudinally along a fixed line of travel, and said means for engagingthe carrier with the guideway includes means enabling engagement of thecarrier with the guidcway in alternate. laterally spaced relativepositions such that alternate. laterally spaced portions of the carrierwill conincide with the said guidepath for dcbossing laterally spacedcharacters.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said fixed line is a straight lineand said laterally spaced portions of the carrier lie along straightlines parallel to said fixed line so that the debossed characters willextend along parallcl. laterally spaced linesv 4. The invention of claim2 wherein said enabling means includes laterally spaced alternate trackson one of said guidcway and said carrier and a tracking member on theother of said guidcway and said carrier engageable with any of thealternate tracks for providing the alternate laterally spaced positions.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said tracks are longitudinal groovesin the carrier and the tracking member is a longitudinal rib in theguideway. complementary to each groove.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the tracks extend along straightlines and the rib extends along a straight line passing through thedebossing station so that the debossed characters will extend alongparallel laterally spaced lines.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said guidepath extendslongitudinally along a fixed line of travel. said machine furtherincluding:

means enabling selection of the longitudinal location of the carrierrelative to the guideway; and

means indicating the longitudinal location of the carrier relative tothe dcbossing station to enable sclective longitiudinal location of thedebossed characters upon the blank.

8. The invention of claim I wherein the debossing means include:

a member mounted on the frame for selective indexing movement betweenalternate positions. said member having a plurality of resilientlyflexible portions;

a character slug corresponding to each character to be debossed;

means for affixing each character slug to a flexible portion of saidmember;

said member and each character slug being located relative to the framesuch that each character slug may be located selectively at thedebossing station by indexing movement of said member;

a ram mounted upon the frame for reciprocating movement in response toactuation of the actuator means to engage a character slug located atthe debossing station and move the character slug against the resilientbias of the corresponding flexible portion; and

said affixing means being selectively releasable for selective removaland replacement of each character slug.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said affixing means include:

a resiliently dilatable aperture in each flexible portion said aperturehaving a configuration complementary to a portion of a correspondingcharacter slug such that the character slug may be received within theaperture; and

detent means on each character slug juxtaposed with said portion of thecharacter slug for coacting with the flexible portion adjacent theperimeter of said aperture to retain the character slug within theaperture.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said detent means includesconfronting shoulders spaced apart suf ficiently to admit the flexibleportion therebetween.

ll. The invention of claim I wherein the debossing means include:

a member mounted on the frame for selective indexing movement betweenalternate positions, said member having a plurality of resilientflexible portions;

a character slug corresponding to each character to be debossed;

means for affixing each character slug to a flexible portion;

said member and each character slug being located relative to the framesuch that each character slug may be located selectively at thedebossing station by indexing movement of the said member;

a ram mounted upon the frame for reciprocating movement in response toactuation of the actuator means to engage a character slug located atthe debossing station and move the character slug against the resilientbias of the corresponding flexible portion; and

complementary means on the ram and on each character slug for engagementwith one another to align the engaged character slug with the ram foraccurate registration of the character slug at the deboss ing station.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said complementary means include atapered projection extending in the direction of movement of the ram andcomplimentary socket for receiving the projection and aligning thecharacter slug with the ram.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the projection is located on theram and a complementary socket is located in each character slug.

14. A machine for impressing a blank of predetermined dimensions with aseries of consecutive dcbossed characters said machine comprising:

a frame;

actuator means on the frame;

a debossing station on the frame;

character debossing means on the frame at the debossing station;

a guideway on the frame;

a carrier;

means for engaging the carrier with the guideway such that at least aportion of the carrier is guided by the guideway along a guidcpathjuxtaposed with the character debossing means at the debossing station,said guidepath extending longitudinally along a fixed line of travel;

feed means on the frame for advancing the carrier along the guidepath inpredetermined increments of advancement in response to actuation of theactuator means;

means in the carrier for recieving and retaining the blank in such fixedrelationship to said portion of the carrier as to locate consecutiveportions of the blank in position for debossing at the debossingstation;

means enabling selection of the longitudinal location of the carrierrelative to the guideway;

means indicating the longitudinal location of the carrier relative tothe debossing station to enable selective longitudinal location of thedebossed chrac ters upon the blank;

the receiving and retaining means including means for locating andfixing the longitudinal center of the blank at a predetermined positionin the carrier such that the longitudinal center of the blank will beretained at the predetermined position regardless of the length of theblank placed in the machine; and

the enabling means including a index for providing a visual indicationof the location of the center of the blank relative to the debossingstation and at least one scale having numbered increments corrc spendingto one-half the longitudinal spacing of the consecutive characters suchthat location of a numbered increment corresponding to the total numberof characters in the series to be debossed at the index will center theseries longitudinally upon the blank 15. The invention of claim 14wherein the means for locating and fixing the longitudinal center of theblank include at least one projection on the carrier engage able with acorresponding recess in the blank.

16. The invention of claim 14 wherein the enabling means includes aplurality of scales corresponding to a plurality of longitudinal sizesof the consecutive characters.

17. The invention of claim 14 wherein the scale is on the carrier.

1. A machine for impressing a blank of perdetermined dimensions with a series of consecutive, accurately registered debossed characters, the blank having an obverse surface in which the characters are to be debossed and an opposite reverse surface, said machine comprising: a frame; actuator means on the frame; a debossing station on the frame; character debossing means on the frame at the debossing station; a guideway on the frame; a carrier; means for engaging the carrier with the guideway such that at least a portion of the carrier is guided by the guideway along a guidepath juxtaposed with the character debossing means at the debossing station; feed means on the frame for advancing the carrier along the guidepath in predetermined increments of advancement in response to actuation of the actuator means; means in the carrier for receiving and retaining the blank in such fixed relationship to said portion of the carrier as to locate consecutive portions of the blank in position for debossing at the debossing station, said receiving and retaining means including a receptacle in the carrier, said receptacle having a bottom surface complementary to the major portion of the reverse surface of the blank; and the guideway and the carrier inlcude corresponding surfaces so engaged as to provide a relatively rigid anvil at the debossing station against which the blank, when located in the receptacle and against the bottom surface thereof, rests during debossing.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said guidepath extends longitudinally along a fixed line of travel, and said means for engaging the carrier with the guideway includes means enabling engagement of the carrier with the guideway in alternate, laterally spaced relative positions such that alternate, laterally spaced portions of the carrier will conincide with the said guidepath for debossing laterally spaced characters.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said fixed line is a straight line and said laterally spaced portions of the carrier lie along straight lines parallel to said fixed line so that the debossed characters will extend along parallel, laterally spaced lines.
 4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said enabling means includes laterally spaced alternate tracks on one of said guideway and said carrier and a tracking member on the other of said guideway and said carrier engageable with any of the alternate tracks for providing the alternate laterally spaced positions.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said tracks are longitudinal grooves in the carrier and the tracking member is a longitudinal rib in the guideway, complementary to each groove.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the tracks extend along straight lines and the rib extends along a straight line passing through the debossing station so that the debossed characters will extend along parallel laterally spaced lines.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said guidepath extends longitudinally along a fixed line of travel, said machine further including: means enabling selection of the longitudinal location of the carrier relative to the guideway; and means indicating the longitudinal location of the carrier relative to the debossing station to enable selective longitiudinal location of the debossed characters upon the blank.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the debossing means include: a member mounted on the frame for selective indexing movement between alternate positions, said member having a plurality of resiliently flexible portions; a character slug corresponding to each character to be debossed; means for affixing each character slug to a flexible portion of said member; said member and each character slug being located relative to the frame such that each character slug may be located selectively at the debossing station by indexing movement of said member; a ram mounted upon the frame fOr reciprocating movement in response to actuation of the actuator means to engage a character slug located at the debossing station and move the character slug against the resilient bias of the corresponding flexible portion; and said affixing means being selectively releasable for selective removal and replacement of each character slug.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said affixing means include: a resiliently dilatable aperture in each flexible portion, said aperture having a configuration complementary to a portion of a corresponding character slug such that the character slug may be received within the aperture; and detent means on each character slug juxtaposed with said portion of the character slug for coacting with the flexible portion adjacent the perimeter of said aperture to retain the character slug within the aperture.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said detent means includes confronting shoulders spaced apart sufficiently to admit the flexible portion therebetween.
 11. The invention of claim 1 wherein the debossing means include: a member mounted on the frame for selective indexing movement between alternate positions, said member having a plurality of resilient flexible portions; a character slug corresponding to each character to be debossed; means for affixing each character slug to a flexible portion; said member and each character slug being located relative to the frame such that each character slug may be located selectively at the debossing station by indexing movement of the said member; a ram mounted upon the frame for reciprocating movement in response to actuation of the actuator means to engage a character slug located at the debossing station and move the character slug against the resilient bias of the corresponding flexible portion; and complementary means on the ram and on each character slug for engagement with one another to align the engaged character slug with the ram for accurate registration of the character slug at the debossing station.
 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said complementary means include a tapered projection extending in the direction of movement of the ram and complimentary socket for receiving the projection and aligning the character slug with the ram.
 13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the projection is located on the ram and a complementary socket is located in each character slug.
 14. A machine for impressing a blank of predetermined dimensions with a series of consecutive debossed characters, said machine comprising: a frame; actuator means on the frame; a debossing station on the frame; character debossing means on the frame at the debossing station; a guideway on the frame; a carrier; means for engaging the carrier with the guideway such that at least a portion of the carrier is guided by the guideway along a guidepath juxtaposed with the character debossing means at the debossing station, said guidepath extending longitudinally along a fixed line of travel; feed means on the frame for advancing the carrier along the guidepath in predetermined increments of advancement in response to actuation of the actuator means; means in the carrier for recieving and retaining the blank in such fixed relationship to said portion of the carrier as to locate consecutive portions of the blank in position for debossing at the debossing station; means enabling selection of the longitudinal location of the carrier relative to the guideway; means indicating the longitudinal location of the carrier relative to the debossing station to enable selective longitudinal location of the debossed chracters upon the blank; the receiving and retaining means including means for locating and fixing the longitudinal center of the blank at a predetermined position in the carrier such that the longitudinal center of the blank will be retained at the predetermined position regardless of the length of thE blank placed in the machine; and the enabling means including a index for providing a visual indication of the location of the center of the blank relative to the debossing station and at least one scale having numbered increments corresponding to one-half the longitudinal spacing of the consecutive characters such that location of a numbered increment corresponding to the total number of characters in the series to be debossed at the index will center the series longitudinally upon the blank.
 15. The invention of claim 14 wherein the means for locating and fixing the longitudinal center of the blank include at least one projection on the carrier engageable with a corresponding recess in the blank.
 16. The invention of claim 14 wherein the enabling means includes a plurality of scales corresponding to a plurality of longitudinal sizes of the consecutive characters.
 17. The invention of claim 14 wherein the scale is on the carrier. 